Deus ex Machina and Fate vs. Duty in Homer's Iliad and Virgil's AeneidThe actions taken by the gods in the works of Homer's Iliad and Virgil's Aeneid are numerous and important. Both works draw their impetus from the activities of the gods, and without these celestial actors the two stories would quickly become stagnant and fade into inaction. The central divine driving force in both works is the wrath of two female deities: Juno (Hera: Greek) and Minerva (Athena: Greek). These two are responsible for much of the driving force of the two stories as they work out their revenge with Paris and the Trojans. Accordingly, and for purposes of scope, this essay will specifically examine the effects of divine intervention on the Trojans and Troy. In the Iliad the actions of the gods culminate in the beginning of the end for Troy. Hector is killed with Minerva's help. Achilles is adequately pushed into fighting through the death of Patroclus, who for all intents and purposes is handed over if not killed at the hands of Apollo himself. Any god who has anything to say to the contrary has his hands tied by fate. With the fall of the Trojan hero, Hector, the city is almost lost. At the beginning of the Aeneid, the Trojans are still unable to escape their tormentors, even after the fall of Troy. In fact, "Hell has no fury...", and at Juno's request Aeolus unleashes a great storm on the Trojans, who are forced to land near Carthage. The landed group is led by Aeneus, son of Venus (Aphrodite: Greek). Venus, worried about her son, asks Jupiter (Zeus: Greek) for help. Jupiter reassures her that Aeneus and the Trojans will have a bright future. Venus with Cupid and Jupiter with Mercury (Hermes: Greek) help Aeneus into Dido's favor. Compared to Homer's work, the divine intervention in Virgil's seems to be that of slightly more mature gods. In the Iliad the gods are just as, if not more, emotional than some mortal characters. "This provoked and angry response of Hera: [...] But Hector is mortal and has nursed at a woman's breast, while Achilles was born of a goddess whom I myself have nourished and raised" (XXIV:60) The most gods mature in Virgil's work the work conveys a much more responsible feeling that provides a better "secure base" for the story. The second book of Virgil's works describes the fall of Troy.